15 Dec 22nD–Dec 28th, 2022 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | All About Eve 7 places to ring in the New Year in metro Phoenix. BY BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN I t’s safe to say that New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest party nights on the calendar. Myriad celebrations will go down at the Valley’s various bars, clubs, and other nightspots, each geared towards every taste imaginable. High-style hotel affairs and lowbrow bashes. Concerts and costume balls. Dance fests and block parties. Inevitably, though, some local shindigs stand out from the rest, including events of an arty, geeky, or countercultural bent. Here are several options happening across metro Phoenix on Saturday, December 31, that offer more than just champagne and noisemakers. Maybe 2023 Will Be Better The Compound Southeast Corner of Farmer Avenue and University Drive, Tempe Dozens of local DJs and creatives will team up for this art-filled event at The Compound space in Tempe. A massive group show will display the works of more than 50 artists across multiple mediums, including Colton Brock, Tara Logsdon, Tato Caraveo, Lalo Cota, Chrtsanthi Safiye, Adam “Dumperfoo” Dumper, Caroline Ivy, James B. Hunt, Beth Tom, Yuko Yabuki, Djentrification, Douglas Miles, Beth Tom, and Melissa Waddell. DJs and turntablists including Sativan, Stoneypie, Taylor Glasheen, Just Chris, Sir Smeezy, Grackle Beats, Dirty Steve, and Purdy Lites will provide the soundtrack while Jobot Coffee will be selling food and drinks. Mic Cause of Drunken Immortals will host. The start time is 7 p.m. and admission is $20 per person. AMF NYE Block Party Cobra Arcade Bar 801 North Second Street, #100 Joystick jocks can get their game on during the final night of 2022 at Cobra’s indoor/ outdoor celebration, which will extend into the parking lot and offer dozens of old-school arcade titles. If you grow weary of pwning pixelated foes, local food trucks will be selling eats with local DJs Yellawave and Mane One will be in the mix all evening. If you’re ready, player one, the party starts at 4 p.m. and it’s free to attend. Call 602-595-5873. NYE Rooftop Steampunk Party Alibi Rooftop Lounge 108 East University Drive, Tempe Strap on some goggles, don a top hat, and get ready to party like it’s 1899 at this outdoor theme party atop the Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown. Cosplayers are welcome to gear up in themed attire and enjoy an evening of drinks, DJs, and dancing. The $50 general admission option includes a complimentary specialty cocktail, party favors, and passed appe- tizers. VIP cabanas are also available for $1,000 and feature entry for 10 people, two bottles of Champagne, and other perks. Step through the time warp starting at 8 p.m. Call 602-612-7872. New Year’s Eve Celebration: Broadway Showstoppers Chandler Center for the Arts 250 North Arizona Avenue, Chandler Pay a visit to the Great White Way on New Year’s Eve without having to leave the Valley at this high-energy revue of Broadway hits. Showstopping numbers from Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Rent, Moulin Rouge, Chicago, and other blockbuster productions will be performed by a half-dozen vocalists. A Champagne toast and party favors are included. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $28 to $48. Call 480-782-2680 or see chandler- center.org. Robbie’s ABBA 2023 NYE Disco Dance Party The Rebel Lounge 2303 East Indian School Road The hits of Swedish supergroup ABBA will get a disco twist at this party being put on by Robbie Pfeffer of local band Playboy Manbaby. Show off your moves like a dancing queen while Pfeffer, DJ Bruiser, and DJ Meghan fill the air at The Rebel Lounge with the band’s glorious hooks and harmonies. They’ll also drop tracks of the ‘70s pop and disco variety. Costumes are encouraged, whether you want to bust out some bell bottoms or dress like Agnetha, Björn, Benny, or Anni-Frid. Doors are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and $40 for a group of four people. Visit therebellounge.com. Down Low: NYE Masquerade Ball Masonic Auditorium 345 West Monroe Street Your average New Year’s Eve party will pale in comparison to Down Low’s New Year’s Eve affair. Spectacular enter- tainment will be in abundance as circus artists, freak show acts, burlesque dancers, and drag queens will perform throughout the evening. There will also be dozens of local DJs spinning dance music on three different stages, a midnight countdown and Champagne toast, and more. The ball starts at 7 p.m. General admission is $40 and VIP passes are $100 and include complimentary appetizers and an open bar. Visit tinyurl.com/nyedownlow for tickets and more details. New Year’s Eve Black and Blue Ball Kobalt 3110 North Central Avenue, #175 The folks at LGBTQ-friendly nightspot Kobalt in central Phoenix promise their New Year’s Eve dance party will offer “all the sin you can fit in before the new year begins.” As for what sort of activities that will entail is left up to your imagination. Regardless, attendees can get decked out either in “fancy” or “fetish” wear and partake in an evening of high-energy sounds from DJ Moody and DJ Freedom. There’s also a Champagne toast at midnight. The sinful fun starts at 9 p.m. and the party goes on until 2 a.m. Tickets are $20 until December 23 and $25 thereafter. Both options include admission to the Follies drag show at 7 p.m. Call 602-264-5307. ▼ Culture Local DJs and artists will help make Maybe 2023 Will Be Better a New Year’s Eve celebration to remember. Benjamin Leatherman
